JORDAN SEEKS SECSTATE ATTENDANCE AT OECD/BMENA

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000786 SIPDIS FOR S/ES-S, NEA/ELA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2010 TAGS: PREL KDEM JO SUBJECT: JORDAN SEEKS SECSTATE ATTENDANCE AT OECD/BMENA EVENT REF: STATE 18151 Classified By: Charge David Hale, Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D) ¶1. (C) Foreign Minister al-Mulki telephoned Charge on February 1 with a request from the King. He asked that consideration be given to even the briefest of appearances by the Secretary at the Dead Sea OECD/BMENA meeting on Good Governance for Development, February 6-7. He noted that all other delegations are represented at the ministerial level, and that Prime Ministers from Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, and Mauritania are reportedly attending. Foreign Ministers will represent most other Arab states. The Jordanians see this as an ideal opportunity to combine the Secretary's focus in Jerusalem on the peace process with engagement and encouragement of the reform initiative. Conversely, they are concerned that non-cabinet level participation will leave the misleading impression that the U.S. is no longer fully committed to the regional reform agenda. ¶2. (C) Mulki said a one-hour drop in from Jerusalem would allow sufficient time for an appearance at the meeting and a bilateral with the King. Charge pointed out considerations which had made a Jordan stop not possible this time, but promised to convey this request. HALE